Due South

Jeff Tiberii talks to WUNC Capitol Bureau Chief Colin Campbell about the state of the race for NC attorney general. Then, pioneering female sports journalist Melissa Ludtke stops by to talk about her career and her new book, Locker Room Talk: A Woman's Struggle to Get Inside.

This election year, all eyes are on millennial and Gen Z voters. These generations are emerging as a potentially powerful voting group.

Gender studies and race studies intersect in real time with the Harris Presidential campaign.

And, the history and impact of early voting.

Guests

David McLennan, professor of Political Science; Director of the Meredith Poll, Meredith College

Nadia Brown, professor of Government, chair of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program and affiliate in the African American Studies program at Georgetown University

Floyd McKissick, Jr., former North Carolina state senator
 

*Editor's note: These segments have aired in different versions on previous Due South episodes

Last year was a record-breaking year for tourism in North Carolina. But in the aftermath of Helene, fall tourism in western North Carolina is taking an enormous hit. 

Perspectives from others in the region, including The Fall Color Guy who says why he will not be making his annual fall foliage forecast this season.

Guests
Wit Tuttell, Director, Visit North Carolina

Jessica Tomasin, Studio Manager, Echo Mountain Recording Studio, Asheville

Adriana Chavela, Executive Director, Hola Carolina, Hendersonville

Jen Hampton, Co-chair, Asheville Food and Beverage United, Asheville

Howard Neufeld, Professor in the Department of Biology at Appalachian State University, Boone

This is part two of a two-part North Carolina Election Special, a statewide collaboration between NC public radio stations. 

For a better understanding of just who makes up North Carolina's registered voters, Emma Marshall of NC Demography and Jason deBruyn (WUNC) offer analysis and insights of state's large — nearly 8 million people — electorate.

It has been called the swingiest of swing, the bluest red state, and a "must-win." A longtime North Carolina political observer details the state's history, and current middle-of-the-road status.

In this personality dominant moment of American politics, a range of issues still hold the potential to impact election results this November. We'll hear about the poor turnout in Mecklenburg county, check in on the never-ending issue of redistricting, and discuss the ramifications of school vouchers.

Guests

Emma Marshall, research analyst at NC Demography 

Jason deBruyn, Supervising Editor for Digital News WUNC

Chris Cooper, Political Science Professor at Western Carolina University, Author of "Anatomy of a Purple State: A North Carolina Politics Primer"

Steve Harrison, politics reporter WFAE 

Paul Garber, reporter WFDD

Liz Schlemmer, education reporter WUNC

This is part one of a two-part North Carolina Election Special, a statewide collaboration between NC public radio stations. 

This hour, a framework of the November election in North Carolina. With early voting underway, host Jeff Tiberii speaks with reporters about key issues from the mountains to the coast. 

We discuss the political ramifications following the destruction of Helene in Western North Carolina.

Republicans are seeking to hold legislative veto-proof majorities at the NC General Assembly. We synthesize the battleground, strategy, and stakes.

Public radio reporters from Asheville, Charlotte, Wilmington and Winston-Salem share the issues, candidates, questions, and concerns they have as we barrel toward the November 5th election.

Guests

Lilly Knoepp, senior regional reporter, Blue Ridge Public Radio (BPR)

Steve Harrison, political reporter, WFAE in Charlotte

Paul Garber, reporter, WFDD in Winston-Salem 

Rachel Keith, reporter, WHQR in Wilmington 

Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief, WUNC

The 2024 North Carolina State Fair returns to Raleigh from Oct. 17-27. Leoneda Inge chats with Heather Overton, assistant director of public affairs at N.C. Department Agriculture and Consumer Services about this year's new offerings. Mary Lambeth Moore, host of the new podcast, Recovering Debs, joins us to discuss North Carolina debutante history. And Dr. Nikita Y. Harris, founder of The National Black Debutante Project also stops by to discuss her work archiving the history of Black debutante societies. 

How one school community has responded in the aftermath of hurricane Helene.

Plus, a conversation with Democratic candidate for Governor Josh Stein, and a profile of Republican candidate Mark Robinson.

Guests

Liz Schlemmer, education reporter, WUNC

Josh Stein, North Carolina Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate

Colin Campbell, Capitol Bureau Chief, WUNC 

Misinformation and disinformation can cause harm under normal circumstances, but the stakes are particularly high in the aftermath of disasters. WRAL PolitiFact reporter Paul Specht has been tracking viral claims about aid efforts after Tropical Storm Helene flooded much of western North Carolina. He talks with co-host Leoneda Inge about sifting through fiction to find the facts.

Then, the name “Murdaugh” became known across the country, and even the world, in 2021 when Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were found dead on their family estate in South Carolina. Alex Murdaugh, husband to Maggie and father to Paul, was eventually convicted of killing them. But in Hampton County, SC, the Murdaugh name had been front and center for decades before the double murder. The story of the family’s dominance, corruption and almost absolute power in that region is captured in Valerie Bauerlein’s book "The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty." The Wall Street Journal reporter talks with Leoneda Inge about the legacy of the Murdaugh murders.

We get the latest on this year’s very active Hurricane season from the NWS, and what western NC can expect through the end of November. And, the winding roads surrounding the Western part of the state still need some attention – we get a transportation update on roads and highways. Plus, a relief bill signed into law for Helene recovery, and an on-the-ground experience of an Ecovillage in western North Carolina.

Guests

Dan Leins – Science Operations Officer for the National Weather Service in Raleigh

Richard Stradling – Transportation Reporter for the News & Observer

Gary Robertson – State Politics Reporter for the Associated Press

Lucille Sherman – State Politics Reporter – Axios, Raleigh

Zev Friedman – is on the Experience Programs Faculty at EarthHaven Ecovillage outside of Asheville

Helene has impacted every aspect of life in western Carolina – including Asheville’s music scene. In the aftermath of the storm, musicians are using their craft to raise money and hope. WUNC music reporter Brian Burns shares the latest with co-host Leoneda Inge.

Music Maker Foundation is one of the many organizations working to raise funds for musicians impacted by Helene. This kind of work is not new to Music Maker  --  they've been providing aid for American roots musicians for thirty years.  The organization is celebrates its three decades of supporting artists and amplifying traditional American music with several events from October 10th-12th. Co-host Leoneda Inge talks with Music Maker co-founder and executive director Tim Duffy about the organization’s origins and its legacy.

Then, Leoneda sits down with two Music Maker musicians whose "sacred soul" music uplifts audiences in the pews at their church in Greenville, NC, as well as at performance venues across the country. Anthony “Amp” Daniels of the “Dedicated Men of Zion” and his daughter KeAmber Daniels of “Faith and Harmony” share the joys of singing with their children, parents, and cousins.